24 Take pity on your own soul by pleasing God, and show self-restraint. Gather your heart into his sanctity, and drive sadness far away from yourself.
25 For sadness has killed many, and there is no usefulness in it.
26 Envy and anger will diminish your days, and pensiveness will bring old age before its time.
27 A cheerful and good heart is like a feast. And its feasts are formed by diligence.